Oxford, OH Getaway: Hampton Inn's Unbeatable Miami U Deals!
Oxford, OH Getaway: Hampton Inn's Unbeatable Miami U Deals! - A Review That's Gonna Get Real (and Maybe a Little Rambly)
Okay, so let's talk Oxford, Ohio. Charming little college town, right? And if you're visiting Miami University (that's "Miami" like "Miami of Ohio," not the Florida kind!), you're gonna need a place to crash. Enter: the Hampton Inn Oxford, and their "Unbeatable Miami U Deals." Are they really unbeatable? Let's dive in. Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, okay? I'm not holding back.
First, the Hype… or, More Honestly, the Practicalities:
Right off the bat, Accessibility gets a big thumbs up. The details on available amenities, like parking near the entrance, etc. are useful. They've also got an elevator, which is a godsend if you're lugging suitcases. (Because let's be honest, I always overpack.)
The internet situation is important (especially if you're a college student relying on it), so the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a major win. They also have Internet access – LAN if you need that hard-wired connection for some serious gaming (or, you know, actual work). Wi-Fi in public areas, good for catching up on emails while you wait for your Pumpkin Spice Latte in the lobby.
Cleanliness and Safety: Post-Pandemic Peace of Mind (Hopefully!)
Look, the world's changed, and the Hampton Inn Oxford knows it. They're touting a whole laundry list of precautions, so… let's break it down:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good. Necessary. Expected.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Smart.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere, yes, please!
- Individually-wrapped food options: Makes sense during breakfast.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Attempted, anyway. Depends on the guests, of course.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Sounds impressive.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Vital.
- Safe dining setup: We'll hit that later.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I always appreciate this
- Sterilizing equipment: Another good sign.
Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic. They sound like they're taking things seriously. We’ll see though.
The Eats and Drinks: Fueling the College Experience (and My Existential Dread)
Alright, the food. This is where my personal biases start kicking in, so buckle up.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, the buffet. The great equalizer. Hampton Inns usually do a decent job with it. Expect the usual suspects: pastries, eggs (questionable), sausage (even more questionable). Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast and Western cuisine in restaurant, I'm not sure if this is a separate restaurant though…
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Thank goodness, I need my caffeine fix.
- Poolside bar: I didn't see any indication that they have a pool, so this must be an error.
- Happy hour: Now we're talking! If they have a decent happy hour, that's a HUGE plus, especially if you have a long day.
- Restaurants, Bar, Snack bar, Room service [24-hour]: They have options, which is always useful. 24-hour room service is a lifesaver after a late night of (insert college activity here).
- Vegetarian restaurant: This is an interesting little detail, but its placement leaves me unsure if they have this or not.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: All solid choices.
The "Things to Do" and "Ways to Relax" Stuff (Or, My Desperate Plea for a Spa Day)
This is where things get a little… underwhelming. I'm not seeing a spa, which is a travesty.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Okay, fine, if you must work out.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: (See the note on the bar above).
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (Maybe)
- Business facilities, Concierge, Safety deposit boxes: Useful for those on work trips.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Always a plus.
- Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Essentials for travel, or, you know, surviving college.
- Elevator: Appreciated again!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Excellent.
- Food delivery: Good.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Tourist trap potential, BUT useful for forgotten toothpaste.
- Indoor venue for special events, Meeting/banquet facilities, Outdoor venue for special events: Miami U events? Weddings? Who knows!
- Luggage storage: Essential. My suitcase is always bigger than my room.
- Smoking area: Okay, whatever. (I don't.)
- Taxi service: Convenient.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Good for conferences.
- Xerox/fax in business center: For the suits.
For the Kids (Or, Surviving a Family Weekend)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Family friendly is always appreciated.
Digging a Little Deeper: My Personal Hampton Inn Oxford Anecdote (And a Bit of a Critique)
Okay, full disclosure: I've stayed in a LOT of Hampton Inns in my life. They're usually… reliable. Not necessarily thrilling, but consistent. This is a good thing. You know what you're getting. And honestly, when you're in college, or visiting students at college, you probably don’t need “thrilling.” You need clean, comfortable, and close to the action.
However, here's where I get a TOUCH annoyed. The website boasts "Unbeatable Miami U Deals." What exactly does that mean? Are they consistently lower-priced than other hotels during move-in weekend? I NEED CONCRETE NUMBERS. Otherwise, it's just marketing fluff. Transparency, Hampton, transparency!
Unbeatable, really?
The Rooms (And Your Sanity):
This is where the details of the room itself matter. Because you're going to be spending a lot of time there.
- Air conditioning: Necessarily in an Ohio summer.
- Alarm clock: Gotta wake up for those 8 am lectures (or, you know, tailgates).
- Bathtub, Separate shower/bathtub: Essential for me.
- Blackout curtains: A must, to block out the sun and avoid the college students.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Awesome.
- Closet, Extra long bed, Non-smoking: Gotta make it a comfortable stay.
- Desk, Laptop workspace: If you need to do your work, or if you got a work trip.
- Free bottled water: That's nice.
- Hair dryer: Good.
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Awesome.
- Ironing facilities: Always great.
- Mini bar, Refrigerator: Great!
- Sofa, Seating area: Comfort.
- Smoke detector: Necessary.
- Telephone: Probably never gets used, but it's there.
- Toiletries: (Hopefully decent.)
- Wake-up service: Might need one!
- Window that opens: Fresh air!
The Verdict:
Is the Hampton Inn Oxford a perfect getaway? Probably not. But is it a reasonably good hotel? More than likely. Is it worth checking out, especially if you're visiting Miami U? Absolutely. Just make sure to do your own price comparison with other hotels in the area and then decide if those "Unbeatable Deals" are actually unbeatable.
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars. Solid, dependable, and probably a good base of operations for exploring Oxford, OH, and cheering on the RedHawks.
And now, for the real hook…
The Unbeatable Miami U Deal, REVEALED (or, at least, my version of it):
(This is where I get creative, based on what I would want in a deal - which is, admittedly, subjective.)
Book the Hampton Inn Oxford for a stay during any Miami University event (Move-in, Family Weekend, Homecoming, etc.) and get:
- Discounted Room Rates: (I'm assuming they're offering this, so I'll say "up to 15% off regular rates" to start).
- Free Breakfast for Two: (Good value).
- Complimentary Late Checkout: (Because you need those extra hours of sleep after a late night.)
- **
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt to wrangle a chaotic weekend in Oxford, Ohio, with a basecamp at the Hampton Inn. It's going to be less "precision-timed clockwork" and more "winging it with a healthy dose of caffeine and existential dread." Let's see where the road takes us.
Hampton Inn Oxford/Miami University Area - A Messy, Mostly-Organized, Ode to Oxford (OH)
Day 1: Arrival, Panic Room (aka Hotel Room), and Pizza Dreams
1:00 PM - Arrival at Hampton Inn. Check-In. The Great Key Card Caper.
- Okay, first impression? Clean. Expected. The lobby gives off a vaguely sterile energy, but hey, free coffee. I'm already making mental notes about the complimentary breakfast… I'm a sucker for hotel waffles.
- The key card situation… always a trial. Three tries to get the door open. My inner voice starts to scream, "Are you sure this is the right room?" But, success! Room acquired. It’s a perfectly… adequate hotel room. The TV is enormous compared to the bed, which is the exact opposite of my life. I will live in this room and judge.
- The real challenge: unpacking. I’m that traveler. The stuff-it-all-in-the-suitcase-and-deal-with-it-later type. Currently, my suitcase vomits. It's a beautiful mess.
2:00 PM - "Operation: Find Pizza" (and Hopefully, Sanity)
- Lunch hunger starts to rear its ugly head. I’m craving pizza. Gotta keep the hanger at bay. Yelp search, Google Maps search… so many damn choices! I'm overwhelmed. This is why I’m single: can’t even choose food.
- Decision: Oxford Pizza and Subs. I’ll report back on this very important issue. This could make or break the whole weekend.
- Transportation: Walking? Let's find out. Oxford's a college town, right? I sure hope so. My legs are getting shaky already.
2:30 PM - Pizza Pilgrimage (and the Discovery of a Hidden Gem)
- Oxford Pizza… it's a classic. Nothing fancy, but the crust has that perfect chewy-crispy ratio. I ordered way too much, of course. It's the "eyes bigger than stomach" syndrome. Fine by me. I might need the extra energy to handle my… plans.
- Unexpected Delight: On my way back to the hotel, I stumbled upon this tiny little bookstore - the Bookstore. Old books, musty smells, and a grumpy-looking cat. Heaven. I wander for what feels like hours. Now I have a book. And a headache.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy. This is the thing I needed.
4:00 PM - The Great Wi-Fi Struggle (and the Curse of "Netflix and Chill")
- Back in the hotel room. Wi-fi is… spotty. I'm not sure if it's my fault or the inn's, but it’s stressful. I’m already contemplating how I will explain this internet issue to the hotel desk when it turns out I need to get my showtime.
- So, yeah, Netflix and chill is out. Reading it is. I'll watch the book. This is the first red flag of my impending burnout.
6:00 PM - Oxford Town Square Wanderings & Unintentional People-Watching
- Time to explore! I figured I'd wander the town square. The college kids are EVERYWHERE. And they’re so young… it hurts. I'm pretty sure I saw a couple holding hands, and I nearly burst into tears.
- Quirky Observation: Oxford is a walking town. Everyone. Is. Walking. And they all look so purposeful. It's a phenomenon.
- Emotional Reaction: A pleasant sense of detachment. It reminded me of my own college years… mostly the cheap beer at brick pubs and the questionable romantic decisions. Then I start to feel a profound and gnawing ache, I just… need to move past it.
7:00 PM - Dinner? (AKA the Questionable Choice)
- Okay, dinner. I’m starting to feel an overwhelming need for carbs. But where? I'll leave it as a mystery for now.
9:00 PM - "Late Night" Recovery
- Back in the hotel. The best part of the day, honestly.
- Imperfection: I probably already devoured half the pizza.
- Emotional Reaction: exhaustion.
- Expectation: Maybe I'll regret this whole trip.
Day 2: Brunch, Bookstores, and the Existential Dread of a Weekend
9:00 AM - Hotel Breakfast Bonanza (And the Waffle Obsession!)
- Let the games begin! Free hotel breakfast is a sacred ritual, not to be taken casually. I’m making a beeline for the waffle maker. The little machine, I love it.
- Emotional Reaction: Utter, unadulterated happiness. Maybe the trip can be salvaged.
10:00 AM - The Bookstore Redux (and the Allure of Secondhand Books)
- I've decided to revisit the bookstore. I might even buy another book. I have no self-control. I'm now starting to feel like a character from a rom-com, only… not in a good way.
1:00 PM – More Wanderings Then A Nap, God Help Me
- A late walk, then a nap. My energy is starting to wane.
4:00 PM - Dinner? (AKA the Questionable Choice)
- I'm not even going to pretend I have a plan. Food, always a mystery.
9:00 PM - Late Night Recovery (Again!)
- The end of the day. I'm starting to develop a very strong attachment to this room's very mediocre TV. You know what they say, misery loves company.
- Imperfection: I feel… something. I feel like the world is a bad movie.
- Expectations: The next day I finally return home.
Day 3: Departure, Reflections, and the Epilogue of a Pizza-Fueled Odyssey
9:00 AM - Final Breakfast Assault (Waffle Round Two!)
- One last waffle. Gotta make it count.
- Emotional Reaction: A bittersweet mix of satisfaction and the quiet dread of returning to reality.
11:00 AM - Farewell, Hampton Inn
- Checked out. The hotel was. The hotel was fine.
- Quirky Observation: The front desk guy looked like he wanted to escape just as much as I did. We shared a look of weary solidarity.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief.
12:00 PM - Oxford's Aftermath (and the Pizza Legacy)
- And now… Oxford, Ohio. You were a strange, wonderful, and sometimes overwhelming experience. You gave me pizza. You gave me musty books. You gave me a temporary escape from my own messy, beautiful life.
- Final Thought: I'm exhausted and my soul is a little bit stronger. And yes, I probably ate too much pizza. But I'm okay with that.
- Evaluation: Three point five stars - mostly for the waffles, and for existing.
The End?
Who knows. Maybe I'll be back. Maybe I won't. But for now, I'm going home. And I'm taking with me a suitcase full of dirty clothes, a head full of memories, and the lingering scent of… waffle batter.
Escape to Hamilton, NJ: Homewood Suites' Unbeatable Comfort Awaits!
Oxford, OH Getaway: Hampton Inn's Unbeatable Miami U Deals! (FAQ - Because We're All Exhausted from Finals Week)
Okay, so, what's the *actual* deal with these "Unbeatable Miami U Deals"? Like, is this a scam? My GPA is, well, *questionable* right now, so I can't afford a *real* vacation...
Alright, breathe. No scam. (Probably.) The Hampton Inn in Oxford, bless their corporate hearts, *actually* offers special rates for Miami University students, parents, and, you know, people who just really like the RedHawks. Think discounts! Think lower prices than you'd see during Parents' Weekend (which, let's be honest, is a *nightmare*). I booked a room last year during a football game – the one where we *almost* beat Ohio – and saved a ton. It was glorious. Seriously, check the Hampton Inn Oxford's website. They usually have a section for "Miami University Deals" or something similar. Pro Tip: Even calling them directly and mentioning the student connection works wonders. Just don't tell 'em you're in debt... they hear that all the time.
How far is this Hampton Inn from campus? Because, let's be real, walking is… well, it's a commitment. Especially after a late night at Brickstreet.
Okay, so the Hampton is...close enough to be convenient. A good, solid, slightly tipsy walk is doable. A car ride is even better, of course. Depends on your definition of "walking distance" and the amount of questionable decisions you've made – mostly concerning that questionable pizza. It's probably a five-minute drive, and a good, solid, possibly regrettable fifteen-minute walk from uptown, depending on how much you've had to drink. And how many people you are trying to keep up with.
Is breakfast actually *free* at the Hampton Inn? Because free food is basically my love language. And is it any *good*? I’m tired of dining hall mystery meat.
Yes, breakfast is usually free. Score! It's the Hampton Inn's "complimentary hot breakfast," which, in reality, is a buffet of waffles, scrambled eggs (sometimes, they’re questionable – you've been warned, dear traveler), sausage (potentially overcooked, your mileage may vary), cereal, fruit (usually bananas, the unsung hero of free breakfasts), and those little mini-muffins that you can shovel into your mouth while barely registering it's even a thing. It's not Michelin-star quality, people, but it's free. And it's better than dining hall mystery meat, which is the main goal. I survive on these breakfasts at their hotels. Plus, the coffee is usually decent. Don't expect it to be life-changing, but it'll fuel your morning. It is the difference between a decent start to the day and, well, existential dread.
What about parking? Gotta know before I take my beat-up Honda Civic. Is it a nightmare like finding a spot on campus?
Parking at the Hampton Inn is usually...fine. They have a parking lot. It's not underground, and you don't have to fight tooth and nail for a spot like you sometimes do on campus. (Looking at *you*, Shriver Center parking.) Unless it's Parents' Weekend (shudder) or a major event, you should be good. I've never had a parking problem there, and trust me, I've been around. Just don't leave your car running with the AC blasting. You'll be attracting all sorts of attention and getting some nasty looks from everyone.
Okay, spill the tea. What's the *actual* vibe of the Hampton Inn? Is it… depressing? I'm hoping for something a little more upbeat than my dorm room.
Look, it's a Hampton Inn. It's not the Ritz-Carlton. Think clean, comfortable, and… predictable. It's not going to win any design awards. But it's also not going to leave you feeling like you've stumbled into a Patrick Bateman fever dream. My experience? Very good. I've seen worse. Think clean carpets, air conditioning that actually *works*, a decent-sized TV, and a comfy bed. They have a pool, but I've never actually used it because, let's be honest, who uses hotel pools? The staff is generally friendly. The whole place radiates a certain kind of... "beige" ambiance, which, sometimes, is exactly what you need after surviving a week of midterms. One time, I was there during a snowstorm, and it felt like a safe haven. It was glorious. So, not depressing, not exciting, just… reliably decent. I also once stayed there when I thought I was getting sick. Turns out I should have gone to the doctor, but the bed was very comfortable.
Are there any hidden fees? Because hotels *love* to nickel-and-dime you. I’m running on fumes here budget-wise.
Hidden fees...hmm. They try. Check your confirmation *thoroughly*. I mean, hotels are notorious for their shenanigans. They might try to sneak in a "resort fee" (even if there's no resort), or a "facility fee" (for facilities you may not even use). But typically, the Hampton Inn is pretty straightforward. They *should* tell you what the total price is upfront. Always double-check! And if you see something fishy, question it! Don't be afraid to be that person. They're counting on your exhaustion and willingness to just give in. Fight back! It's your money!
Alright, let’s say I *do* book a room. What are some must-do things in Oxford, besides, you know, trying not to fail my classes and spending my entire bank account at Brick Street?
Okay, besides the whole academic survival thing? Depends on your vibe.
For the Culture Enthusiast: Check out the Miami University Art Museum. It's actually pretty good (and free!). The Oxford Community Arts Center also hosts cool events.
For the Outdoorsy Type: Hueston Woods State Park is beautiful, with hiking trails and a lake. Perfect for escaping the academic grind and reminding yourself what actual sunlight looks like.
For the Foodie: Well, Brickstreet is a given. But, seriously, try Bagel & Deli. And I *swear* the pizza at SDS is better than the reputation suggests! Also, don't forget to try a Skyline Chili. Because, Ohio.
For the History Buff: Visit the Upham Hall. It's old and pretty. And if you're feeling adventurous, explore the area around the university. There's a lot of history here, if you bother to look for it.
For the General Human: Honestly, just walking around uptown Oxford is fun. People-watching, grabbing a coffee, soaking up the atmosphere. And if you're feeling up to it, hit up a bar that isn't Brickstreet.Roam And Rests
